A Photographic Big Year for the Birds- Throughout 2013 I will photograph as many bird species as possible in a "Photographic Big Year". I'm aiming for 500. The purpose of this big year and blog is to raise awareness and donations for the American Bird Conservancy's work with endangered birds in Hawaii. Please consider supporting their effort. Click on the "Donate" tab below for more information.

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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Failed Chasing

The past two days have been a bit disappointing. Yesterday (5/7), I drove from Lansing, MI to Linton, IN to look for the Spotted Redshank. It was present the previous night until after dark, but on my trip it was a no show. It was a good time with good company, besides the absence of a Redshank. Just down the road, a Bell's Vireo was singing constantly, so I took advantage.

Bell's Vireo

Today (5/8), I birded Waterloo State Rec Area, mainly Glenn Road east of Mt. Hope Road in Michigan. This is a hotspot for Cerulean Warblers and produced at least 8 birds, if not more. I was glad to get a few photos.

Cerulean Warbler

Also singing all along the road were Wood Thrushes. I never got close to one as they were singing high in the trees, but it was really great hearing so many breeding birds singing on territory.

Wood Thrush

My main goal for the morning, however, was to see and photograph the Eurasian Wigeon at Trinkle Marsh at the corner of Dancer Road and Trinkle Road in Washtenaw Road. Unfortunately, I saw no Wigeon of any species.

I ended my morning at the corner of Parker and Scio Church Road, a crossroads where Trumpeter Swan is a given. Sure enough, the pair was busy working on a nest.

Trumpeter Swan

The rest of the day was spent packing and preparing for my trip to Alaska. I leave tomorrow and have Friday-Sunday to bird before returning back to Michigan on Monday. I'll be going to Homer for the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Next update will come on Tuesday with, hopefully, lots of pictures!

If you would like to support this photographic big year with a pledge, please see this page here. The pledge is tax deductible and the entire amount will go to the American Bird Conservancy for Hawaiian bird conservation!